Explanation of Professional Growth through Arts Organizations beyond WCPSS
Please remember - professional growth that qualifies for renewal credit has some influence on your instructional practice - it may affirm what you are already doing, it may steer you towards a change, or it may remind you of why you are choosing not to do something.
Participation in this wiki is not just for dance teachers. Other arts teachers may be studying their craft or working in collaboration with other artists outside of education. In order to receive credit, you are expected to post (to the discussion tab of the wiki) a brief reflection of each experience (please include date & time) and respond to at least two other person's postings.
The philosophical explanation below should answer most questions.
Once you participate in professional growth outside of WCPSS - go to the DISCUSSION tab above and post your reflections. You may attach links or other files that might be helpful.
The Friday afternoon Dance technique classes are offered through a co-operative of teachers who share responsibility for instruction. Classes offered through the co-op are perfect examples of high quality professional growth - participants learn by moving and by interacting with one another with a focus on instructional practice - the discussions are rich with instructional methods (cues), the class contributes to the physical health & technical skill of participants and the experience rejuvenates participants as artists
Technique classes outside the co-op can certainly meet all the criteria listed above if the participant focuses on how his/her instruction will change because of the technique class. This can be done through reflection - not lengthy papers but perhaps a blog entry that speaks to the style, the combinations, the accompaniment choices, etc. - here's an example:
8/19/10 - 11:00 am-12:00 pm - attended workshop with Chuck Davis - African American Dance Ensemble - Traditional African dance with elements of modern dance - good to be back in class moving as an adult - being a student again helps me remember how frustrating it is when I can't remember the combination or the instructions are not clear - note to self - be specific in my demonstrations & check for understanding during the instructional delivery part of my lessons - Trad. African is not a style that I'm comfortable with but am willing to incorporate some of the arm movements as gestures of welcome into a new piece I'm considering - love the live accompaniment - I wouldn't be able to afford that but perhaps could start to incorporate more percussion into my warm-ups - If we could get the PTA to bring in a clinician who could teach drumming to my dancers - then perhaps we could have different dancers take on the role of accompanying class - great way to use students who are sidelined because of injury - student accompanists wouldn't have to give up dancing the whole period - we could rotate - maybe I'll check with the band teacher to see if he/she could share a percussionist once a week ...
By posting the above I am sharing my understandings - others can benefit - just thinking about the process can help me refine my instructional practice - it is possible that your experience may encourage others to take a class to renew skill & artistry
Explanation of Professional Growth through Arts Organizations beyond WCPSS
Please remember - professional growth that qualifies for renewal credit has some influence on your instructional practice - it may affirm what you are already doing, it may steer you towards a change, or it may remind you of why you are choosing not to do something.Participation in this wiki is not just for dance teachers. Other arts teachers may be studying their craft or working in collaboration with other artists outside of education. In order to receive credit, you are expected to post (to the discussion tab of the wiki) a brief reflection of each experience (please include date & time) and respond to at least two other person's postings.
The philosophical explanation below should answer most questions.
Once you participate in professional growth outside of WCPSS - go to the DISCUSSION tab above and post your reflections. You may attach links or other files that might be helpful.